More hooded plover parents become empty nesters

Survival of the chicks has been the focus of Operation Save Our Hoodies (SoHo) over the past four years, supporting breeding hooded plovers with targeted education and enforcement patrols.

Hooded plovers are classified as a vulnerable species, with fewer than 600 individuals remaining in Victoria and approximately 3,000 across southeastern Australia. Their nests, consisting of eggs laid in shallow sand scrapes, are highly susceptible to disturbances. Chicks have a 1% survival rate, one of the lowest among Australian birds, due to threats like human activity, dogs, and predators like foxes.

There were 320 patrols conducted on the Victorian coast in the 2024–25 breeding season, engaging with 1072 people. 21 people were fined for offences, including disturbing nesting birds and owners not under control of their dogs in hooded plover habitat. BirdLife Australia along with their volunteers, conducted research on reproductive success of breeding hooded plovers which continues to build on our understanding of the beach nesting bird.

Operation Soho received a boost in Gippsland this year thanks to the dedicated work of an additional Forest and Wildlife Officer for the region, funded through a Saving Native Species Grant from the Commonwealth Government. This increased education and enforcement patrols at nesting areas, improving community awareness of the operation.

You can report wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Quote attributable to Han Auld, Forest and Wildlife Officer, Conservation Regulator:

'We’re thankful for the volunteers and public assistance in helping to protect these vulnerable little birds, such as paying attention to signage, keeping dogs on leads, and reporting wildlife crime. We’ll continue to engage with local communities to educate and inform them of how to best utilise the great outdoors while protecting our Hoodies'.

Quote attributable to Dr Daniel Lees, Coastal Birds Project Officer, BirdLife Australia:

'BirdLife Australia Volunteers have done an amazing job over the past several years monitoring reproductive success and protecting breeding sites. It’s thanks to their efforts in combination with support from land managers that the Hooded Plover population has stabilised'.

Quote attributable to Acting Area Chief Ranger Cat Taylor:

'Operation SoHo is a combined effort to protect this vulnerable species. Watching this year’s chicks fledge and learn to run, feed and fly on their own has been a joy, and we hope they’ll survive and thrive. Our rangers are grateful to the many volunteers who kept a watchful eye on the hoodies and to the public for respecting and following the guidance shared by Parks Victoria and our partners.'